Kos is one of the twelve islands of the Dodecanese in Greece. The Greek island is a popular island among both the young and the elderly and there is a range of activities you can enjoy while in Kos. What should you know about Kos? What sights can you visit on Kos and what activities can you undertake during your holiday on Kos?
About Kos
Kos is one of the twelve islands of the Dodecanese in Greece. The island has an area of 290 square kilometers and a total length of 40 kilometers. Tourism is the island’s main source of income. The capital Kos Town is located to the east of the island. Because Kos is a relatively small island, you can easily visit other places from the capital. The activities below are activities that you should not miss when visiting this island.
Transport on Kos
You can of course reach Kos by boat, but chances are you flew to this Greek island by plane. In that case you do not have your own car and you are dependent on the resources that the island has to offer. Fortunately, there are many ways to get around the island.
Public transport
Public transport on Kos mainly consists of buses and taxis. Many residents and tourists use public transport. The bus in particular is a very cheap means of transport on Kos, for just a few euros you can travel from one side of the island to the other.
A car
There are several car rental companies on Kos where you can easily rent a car for one or more days. To rent a car you must be at least 21 and have held a valid driver’s license for at least one year.
A bike
Kos is a typical cycling island, you will find bicycle rental companies everywhere and you will see people cycling on rental bikes. You can place your bicycle in a bicycle rack at almost all sights on Kos. Kos has some roads with significant gradients, so it is important that you decide for yourself whether the bicycle is a suitable means of transport for you. You can rent a bicycle on the island for a few euros per person per day.
Costs and target group
- approx. €3 per person per day (2017)
- all tour groups
Rent a buggy
You can of course explore Kos with a rental car, but you also have the option to rent a buggy on Kos. Because the island of Kos has a total length of 40 kilometers, the entire island can be seen in one day with a buggy. Of course, you can also choose to rent a buggy for several days and explore the island at a slower pace. You could possibly combine renting a buggy with a visit to the various beaches of Kos (e.g. Paradise Beach, Kefalos Beach). It is also advisable to take a buggy to the Embros Thermea (hot spring).
Costs and target group
- approx. €80 per day excl. deposit (2017)
- all tour groups
Sights on Kos
Kos is an island where you can relax, but also an island where there is a lot to see. It is certainly worthwhile to visit a number of sights in a tour of the island. There are two popular attractions that the island is known for.
The Asclepion recovery center
Asclepion is a Greek recovery center that was in use from the 4th century BC. It is one of the most important historical monuments on Kos. Asclepion was discovered in 1902 and has since become a major tourist attraction on Kos. You do not need to reserve a whole day to visit Asclepion, the entire recovery center can be visited in one afternoon. The route to Asclepion contains climbs, but is easy to cover by bike.
Costs and target group
- €6 per person (2017)
- all tour groups
The hot spring – Embros Thermea
On the island south of Kos town you can find the Embros Thermea hot spring, natural water that is shielded by rocks and heated by volcanic heat to a temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius. There is a strong sulfur smell around the water source, it is advisable to wear old swimming clothes. The hot spring is easily accessible by public transport, but there is also plenty of parking if you want to visit the hot spring with a car. The road to the hot spring is very beautiful, but does contain considerable climbs.
Costs and target group
- free (2018)
- all tour groups
Other activities on Kos
Of course you may go to Kos for relaxation, but it may also be that you would like to undertake activities during your holiday on Kos. The Greek island is ideal for this. There are plenty of activities you can do on Kos.
The capital – Kos Town
Kos Town is the capital of the island of Kos. Kos town has a large harbor where many yacht owners moor their yachts. There are nice tourist shops in the city and you can dine at one of the attractive restaurants in the evening or visit the entertainment area at night.
A day in Turkey
If you are staying on Kos for several days, it is definitely worthwhile to take a day trip to Turkey by boat.
Turkey is located northeast of the island of Kos and is easily reached by ferry from Kos Town. Most crossings to Turkey go to the town of Bodrum. The crossing to Bodrum takes about 30 minutes. Bodrum is a nice place for shopping, having a bite to eat or going for a swim in the sea.
Costs and target group
- approx. 15,- per person including visa (2017)
- all tour groups.
Take an island tour by boat
For a few euros you can take a boat trip from Kos town to islands in the area. Most boat trips take you away for a whole day and dinner is included. Many boats sail from Kos Town to the same islands, the size and layout of the boats differs. Most boats sail to the islands of Pserimos, Kalymnos and Platy and offer a moment to swim in a bay during the boat trip. If you are lucky you may see dolphins swimming in the sea along the way. It is advisable to choose a boat that does not allow many people on it. By making a reservation in the evening for a day later in your holiday, you often get a discount on the total price.
Costs and target group
- approx. €35 per person incl. dinner/BBQ (2017)
- all tour groups
A day at the water park
If you want a more active day in your holiday on Kos, it is recommended to go to a water park. The water parks are aimed at children and young people, which means many water slides and other water activities. It is wise to get lunch just before noon or after noon during your visit to the water park, otherwise there is a good chance that you will spend a large part of your day waiting in line for your lunch.
Costs and target group
- approx. €15 per person (Lido Waterpark, 2017)
- Young people and families with children
A day at the beach
On holiday it is very important to relax, what better way to do that than by going to the beach for a day? There are several beaches on Kos with very different characteristics. On most beaches you will find sunbeds owned by restaurateurs. In most cases you can use a sunbed for free by ordering a drink from the restaurateur who owns the sunbeds. The following beaches are very popular among tourists on Kos.
- Tigaki Beach
- Paradise Beach
- Tarzan Beach
- Kefalos Beach
Costs and target group
- free (possibly the costs for consuming a drink to use a lounger)
- all tour groups